Self-inking stamp



R. DOERRLER I SELF-INKING STAMP Filed Oct. 25, 1941 May 2, 1944.

I u rumor Patented May 2,1944

UNITED s'm'rss PAT N'l optics 8 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in selfi'nking stamps, and the primary object of my invention is to provide an efiicient arrangement of this character distinguished by simplicity, low

"cost, and ruggedness of parts.

Other important objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from a reading of the following description taken in connection with the appended. drawing, wherein for purposes of illustration I have shown a'preferred embodiment of my invention.

In -the drawing- Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional "View taken through the embodiment.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of Figure 1. Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail with the cloth cut away to reveal the rubber stamp body.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral 5- generally designates the body of the stamp, which in this instance is generally rectangular in form and constructed preferably of plastic or other equally suitable material, with an ink reservoir 6 occupying a major portion of the body 5 and opening through the bottom thereof. The top of the reservoir has a threaded opening 1 into which is adapted to be threaded the shank 8 of a removable handle 9, the shank acting as a stopper for the opening 1 and being provided at its upper end with a lateral flange I which bears down upon a sealing washer ll surrounding the top of the opening 1. A suitable compressible material gasket I2 is arranged around the bottom of the body to provide for fluid-tight engagement with the holder l3 which is traversed by securing screws M which are threaded into the body 5 as indicated in Figure 1 of the drawing.

The holder I 3 is of the same general plan and shape as the body 5 and is formed with an opening I5 corresponding in size and shape to the lower end of the reservoir 6 and registered therewith when the holder [3 is assembled with the body 5.

Having a snug fit in the opening I5 of the holder I3 is the rubber stamp body l6 which is of substantially the same thickness as the holder l3 and has projecting below the lower side of the holder l3 the letter form I! which are similar to those of an ordinary rubber stamp. The bottom of the stamp body l6 and the bottoms and sides of the letter form I! are overlaid by and covered by an absorbent cloth sheet l8 which is extended up along the longitudinal and end edges of the stamp body l6 so as to occupy a position between the surface 'of the opening i5 and the'stamp body l6 and be clamped in position as a result. Multiple loops-or windings of absorbent thread Or string i=9 encircle the stamp pad 16 and the cloth l8 transversely, I

between the various letter forms, not merely to assemble the cloth on the stamp "body 16, but to act as wicks to convey the fluid ink in the reservoir 6 to the cloth 18 between the letter forms, and finally to the cloth portions-20 underlying the working faces of the letter forms I l, which are then endowed with a proper supply of ink for printing purposes.

Below the cloth i8 is a thin metal plate 2-1 which is substantially th same size and plan as the holder t3, the plate 2! having cut therein openings 22 conforming in shape and contour with the letter forms H but slightly larger than the letter forms with their cloth covering and through these openings 22 project the cloth covered letter forms asshown in Figure '1 of the drawings to a sufficient distance to print the outline of the cloth covered letter forms on the work to be printed, without restriction or interference from the plate 2|. It is to be observed that the plate 2! masks the cloth and string loops, which together form the wick for the supplying of ink to the letter forms, so as to protect the work from the ink other than that on the letter forms, and to ailord a spring type of printing bed offering resiliency and support in addition to that provided by the rubber stamp body Hi. The marginal portions of the plate 2| are somewhat upwardly offset as indicated in Figure 1 of the drawing and engaged with the bottom of the holder I3. with a compressible gasket 23 interposed between the plate and the bottom of the holder l3, the screws l4 already mentioned passing through the marginal portions of th plate 2|, the gasket 23, the holder l3, the gasket l2 and threading into the bottom of the body 5 to assemble the entire device. A relatively viscous ink is advised for use in the reservoir 6 to preclud too rapid flow of the ink an too heavy inking of the letter forms.

As indicated in Figure 3 of the drawing the longitudinal sides of the rubberv stamp body [6 have vertical grooves 24 formed therein to accommodate the string or cord loops [9 which constitute the wicks, and the portions of the cloth [3 which the constriction of the cords force into the grooves 24, so that shifting of the loops or of the cloth I8 is positively precluded.

Although I have shown and described herein a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be definitely understood that I do not wish to limit the application of my invention thereto, except as may be required by the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A self-inking stamp comprising a body formed with a fluid ink reservoir opening through extending through the opening of the holder to.

be saturated by fluid ink in said reservoir.

2. A self-inking stamp according to claim 1 wherein the upper part of said body is formed with a filling hole communicating with said reservoir, and a handle having a stopper portion closingsaid hole and connecting the handle to the body. I

3. A self-inking stamp according to claim wherein a spring metal plate is secured to the bottom of said holder, said metal plate being formed with openings conforming to the shape .of but slightly larger than and passing said printingshapes.

4. A self-inking stamp according to claim 1 wherein said absorbent fabric material comprises a thin flexible sheet conformably engaging the bottomsand sides of said printing shapes and the surface of said stamp body lying between shapes.

5. A self-inking stamp according to claim 1 wherein said absorbent fabric material comprises a thin flexible sheet conformably engaging the bottoms and sides of said printing shapes and the surface of said stamp body lying between the shapes and said wick means comprises loops of absorbent cord wound around said stamp body and said sheet between said shapes.

6. A self-inking stamp according to claim 1 wherein said absorbent fabric material comprises a thin flexible sheet conformably engaging the bottoms and sides of said printing shapes and i the surface of said stamp body lying between the being constricted to press portions of said sheet into vertical grooves formed in the sides of said stamp body.

'7. A self-inking stamp comprising a body formed with a fluid ink reservoir opening through its bottom, a holder removably secured to the bottom of said body, said holder being formed with an opening registered with the opening of the ink reservoir, a compressible material stamp body fitting in the opening in the holder and having printing shapes depending therefrom, absorbent fabric material underlying the bottom or printing surfaces of said stamp body, and wick means connected with said fabric material and extending through the opening of the holder to be saturated by'fluid ink in said reservoir, said wick means comprising loops of absorbent cord wound transversely around said stamp body and said absorbent fabric material between the printing hapes.

8. A self-inking stamp according to claim 1 wherein said absorbent fabric material comprises a thin flexible sheet conformably engaging the bottoms and sides of said printing shapes and the surface of said stamp body lying between the shapes, marginal portions of said sheet being extended upwardly along the edgesof said stamp body and frictionally held between the said edges of the stamp body and the opposed edges of'the opening in said holder. a

I I RAYMONDDOERRLER. 

